Brands
Whirlpool India Q3: Full Elica buyout and new board director
UMBAI: Keeping things cool is Whirlpool of India’s speciality, but their latest board meeting suggests they are turning up the heat on the competition. In a marathon session lasting from 10:30 AM to 04:30 PM on 6 February 2026, the white goods behemoth decided to stir the pot by finalising a major acquisition and welcoming a seasoned finance veteran to the table.
Whirlpool has officially decided to go all in on its cooking and built-in business. The board approved the acquisition of the remaining 3.18 per cent stake in its subsidiary, Elica PB Whirlpool Kitchen Appliances Private Limited, for a cash consideration of approximately Rs 59 crore.
This move effectively turns the subsidiary into a 100 per cent wholly owned venture, with the deal expected to close by March 2026. Elica, which was incorporated in April 2010, is no small fry; it reported a turnover of Rs 499 crore for the year ending March 2025.
The company is also adding a dash of experience to its leadership. Anil Berera, a heavyweight with over 40 years of finance and corporate governance experience, has been appointed as an independent director.
Berera’s term will run from 1 March 2026 until 30 November 2029, pending shareholder approval. With a background that includes stints at PricewaterhouseCoopers and Gillette, he is expected to provide steady hands as the company navigates the current economic climate.
On the financial front, the results for the quarter ended 31 December 2025 were a mixed bag of rising revenues and exceptional hurdles:
Standalone revenue: Climbed to Rs 162,413 lakh this quarter, up from Rs 156,495 lakh in the same period the previous year.
Consolidated revenue: Reached Rs 177,384 lakh for the quarter.
Net profit: The standalone profit for the quarter stood at Rs 1,345 lakh, a dip from Rs 2,678 lakh recorded in the previous year’s corresponding quarter.
Exceptional items: Profits were hit by a significant provision of Rs 3,884 lakh at a consolidated level (Rs 3,341 lakh standalone) due to the implementation of new Government of India labour codes.
Total comprehensive income: Reached Rs 1,513 lakh for the standalone quarter.
Despite these one-off costs, the company continues to see growth in its core Home Appliances segment. The board also noted a previous silver lining: an insurance claim of Rs 991 lakh received earlier in the year following a fire at their Delhi warehouse in March 2024.
While the numbers show a slight chill in immediate profits due to regulatory shifts, Whirlpool’s total control of Elica and the addition of Berera suggest they are prepping the oven for a very busy 2026.
Brands
Devyani International names Sandeep Anand, Robinder Singh in key roles
Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee businesses see leadership refresh from April
MUMBAI: Devyani International has strengthened its senior leadership bench with a fresh set of appointments across its key brands, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee, signalling a sharper focus on growth and brand momentum.
The company has appointed Sandeep Anand as chief marketing officer and business head for Pizza Hut. His appointment, approved by the board via a circular resolution on April 3, follows a recommendation by the Nomination and Remuneration Committee, as reported by CNBC-TV18. Anand will officially step into the role on April 6, 2026.
He takes over from Vijay Gogate, who currently serves as chief executive officer for Pizza Hut within the company’s operations. The move marks a strategic transition as the brand looks to sharpen its marketing and business playbook in a competitive quick service restaurant market.
Anand brings over two decades of experience across the food and FMCG sectors, with a strong track record in brand building and innovation. His career spans roles at major consumer-facing companies including Domino’s, Zydus Wellness, Zomato, GSK Consumer Healthcare, Reckitt and Ranbaxy, giving him a well-rounded perspective on both scale and agility.
Alongside this, Robinder Singh has been appointed business head for Costa Coffee and the company’s airport operations. He too will assume his new role on April 6, bringing more than 18 years of experience in operations, business expansion and customer experience transformation.
The twin appointments come at a time when Devyani International is doubling down on leadership depth to steer its portfolio through evolving consumer preferences and heightened competition. With fresh faces at the helm of two key verticals, the company appears set to brew up its next phase of growth with renewed energy.
